“Select committees focus on issues that affect all New Zealanders, like health and justice, so we want to make it easier for more people to watch select committee meetings.

“We also want to make it easier for people to talk to select committees, to let them know how the issues they are considering will affect them. Now it’s going to be much simpler for people who live outside of Wellington, and people with physical challenges, to have their say at Parliament.”

The new initiative is currently available for select committees meeting in select committee rooms one and two.

Select committees are small groups of MPs from different parties who work together to look at different issues in detail. Committees meet regularly and often call for submissions, to help them make informed decisions.

Making submissions gives people a chance to have their say and helps MPs understand how a law change could affect New Zealanders. Select committees are interested in opinions and ideas from anyone.

You can ask to talk to the relevant committee in person when you make a submission electronically on the Parliament website, or in writing. If you live outside of Wellington, you will be contacted to ask if you want to make a submission by video-conference.

People making a submission by video-conference will need to be able to connect via PC, tablet, Android or Apple devices.